Societe Brewing Co. Set for Soft Open

In March, I wrote up a rare brewery tour piece that involved no beer tasting. I can get why that was pretty confusing. I mean, why go to a brewery if you’re not in search of beer, right?

Part of writing about beer is keeping on top of the industry — who’s opening, who’s expanding, who’s (yikes) closing. Right now, there are 20 or so breweries in the process of planning or opening up in San Diego.

Societe Brewing Company, the folks I visited, interviewed, and photographed without having a drop of their beer, are about to graduate from that category when they unlock their doors for a soft opening beginning today, May 9.

They will be the first brewery in the Kearny Mesa area and will be open from Wednesday through Sunday. As it’s a soft open, they’ll have a limited number of beers on tap, but having tasted both last week, I can attest they’re both worth an early visit and are indicative of the promise this brewery’s shown since day one.

The Harlot, a 6.4% Belgian ale with pronounced lemon zest and floral notes, makes for a nice opener and the type of beer you could spend an entire evening enjoying. Meanwhile, The Apprentice, an 8.4% India pale ale is fresh and hoppy with a bit more body than some thinner West Coast-style IPAs.

The beers are the product of Travis Smith and Doug Constantiner, young brewers with years of experience at top-tier California breweries. That experience comes through in the fruits of their labor. Next up on the brew schedule are another IPA and a second Belgian ale. They also plan to fit in a imperial stout and, hopefully, their first sour beer.

While the tasting room's bar is constructed, they have yet to receive their shipment of chairs and tables, meaning it will be standing room only, but this is definitely the type of place where you'll want to get in on the ground level.

Societe Brewing Company is located at 8262 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and their hours of operation will be Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For those who prepare to sit, the company's full scale grand opening is set for June 30.